2010 Chevrolet Cobalt Spy Shot
Here are the first spy shots of the 2010 Chevy Cobalt – GM’s next attempt at a competent compact car. This time around, they’re turning to Daewoo to build it. The new Cobalt will be based off the Daewoo Lacetti – though it will have some subtle differences.
Not much can really be discerned by the shots, because of the heavy camo. I do have to say I’m very disappointed by GM’s decision to go to Korea for the hardware of the new Cobalt. Daewoo was never a name that inspired any confidence in the automotive world.
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Its is nothing to worry about that Daewoo is part of the engineering of the next Cobalt. Daewoo Cars aren’t awful as when they started in 2000 with the line of cars that we would want to forget. Since the Suzuki forenza, Daewoo’s engineering of automobiles has drastically improved. good example, the Aveo is very competitive in the subcompact car class. i.e. Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris. a car that is sold in Europe as the Chevy Epica and in Korea as the Daewoo Tosca is amazing when seen and driven! from experience, it is as top notch as a Honda Accord. the only problem is the archaic powertrains provided in daewoo built cars. however because Daewoo is a GM company, they too will get ecotecs (FINALLY!!) a version will show up on the 2009 Chevy Aveo.
as for the next cobalt, Daewoo isn’t the sole engineer. Opel and Chevy are in on its engineering. all three will be in charge of the engineering of the vehicle from the chassis (which most likely Opel is in charge of that department because the Delta platform is german engineering), all the way up to powertrain and interior exterior styling and ergonomics. And the cars will be very different in styling. this car will be sold world wide; it is the reason why daewoo and opel and chevy are collaborating. and a “light turbo” will be added to the engines to produce adequate power and performance because they are making small engines to go in line with the high fuel efficiency expectations, and gas prices. e.g. 1.4 liter turbo to push out 150 hp. lastly, the cobalt will be built in Ohio and not in Korea.
after reading on this preview vehicle, it looks promising. if there will be a problem with it, its that its that its a chevy, and people will blindly brush it off and unreliable american garbage and go run to a boring toyota or honda, which are losing their grip in terms of refinement and reliabilty.
Having had the displeasure of driving an Aveo a few months back, I’d have to disagree about it’s competitiveness. The Fit is nicer, and the Versa is infinitely nicer. I have yet to drive a Yaris, though I have trouble believing that it’s on the same level there either.
Why do three different brands ( Daewoo, Opel, and Chevy ) need to collaborate to engineer one (1) vehicle? Honda doesn’t need to do that. Toyota has no need for that. It seems to me that this method would just drive up cost, and reduce focus. In the end, it will likely turn out a worse vehicle. JMHO though.
i drove the aveo also but i had a different take. it is not as flashy as a fit and not as roomy as a versa but the interior is just as refined as the two. the engine is just as smooth but stinking archaic in its engine technology. and it is slow. but all of the other cars are slow.
as for why there are going to be three different brands under GM that are engineering this car because all three are getting their version of cars from this platform (designed in Germany) that will not look and drive alike and will be made for the markets they will be sold in. for example, the next Astra will be made from this platform.
as for Honda and Toyota, they do the same thing. that weird looking scion xd and xa was developed by toyota’s Daihatsu brand and Scion, which were developed from the Toyota yaris. Honda does it also with their different versions their accord model that is sold here, in europe and japan. i.e. the european honda accord is re-badged as an Acura TSX, while the american accord, comes from the same platform but is stretched out for the U.S. market.
this method has been practiced for years and have driven down design and engineering costs. another example. every Honda vehicle made all share the same platform, that come from the accord and civic.
now GM is doing this. and because of their money woes, it saves them money. the new cobalt seems promising based the camouflaged car i see and the info on the powertrain that it will carry. but it will be a total bomb for people will just equate it as horrible because it is sharing a platform with daewoo, and people already see the current cobalt as crap. this always happens to GM no matter how good the product, until the 2008 Malibu arrived.
GM, in my opinion, has completely changed directions and is now producing vehicles that are substantially better than their 80’s and 90’s. You can see the changes especially in Saturn and Chevy brands. Those vehicles went from the old twin-cams, although decent engines, they had durability issues, to the new Ecotec engines which are by all accounts virtually indestructible. Each new vehicle or redesigned vehicle has better styling inside and out. Even though GM vehicles are still not up to par with the materials quality of some other brands, Honda, VW, etc., they are a huge improvement and plenty acceptable given the usual price difference.
Cars like the 2008-2009 Cobalt SS will be turning heads with track times that rival BMW’s and Porsches, with better mileage, better warranties, and a low price-point that makes it easily affordable. I believe it’s only a matter of time before GM’s reputation skyrockets.
That’s not a new Cobalt design. It’s the Cruze.
You’re right CB. The Cruze name is replacing the Cobalt. When I wrote up this post, it was presumed to still be the Cobalt. Frankly, I’m glad to see the Cobalt name retired – hopefully the Cruze can help us forget all about it.